Please can someone tell me why my flat isn't selling?!

[Puffykins]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84873916.html

Price-wise, it's appropriate - even cheap - for the area. I know that it hasn't got it's own garden, but there is a huge communal garden which, in central-ish London, I'd argue is better than a tiny garden.

Admittedly I don't like the estate agents pictures much. It's really light in real life, but they always seem obsessed with turning on all the lights.

Anyway, any tips would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

I agree with PPs on why it's not selling, but I just wanted you to know I think your flat is beautiful! The clutter doesn't bother me and I LOVE the bathroom. Honestly I would snap it up if I could, but I can't. So hopefully someone else in your area feels the way I do!!

Not read many PPs. I like it. Main things not showing on details -

1. How long is the lease?
2. What are service charges?
3. Is there a lift?
4. What is the management like? ''Good''? Is there any caretaker on site at all? Details for flats for sale where I am (not far from you!) usually say '' building is well managed'', ''caretaker'' or something similar. Lovely to have the large garden with no work in London. I think the market is just difficult in London now with the virus.

For pretty much the same money, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, you could have this place in California:

In fairness, Palm Springs is scorching hot, and cheap by Californian standards because. I'd rather live in London.

"There's a washing machine in the bathroom"

Best place for it. People spend more time in the kitchen than the bathroom, or am I odd? I don't want to listen to the washing machine! plus your space is open plan, so I definitely think its in the right place.

I've looked again. Kitchen and bathroom. These are the biggies that cost money, so I would focus in repainted bathroom neutral and finishing and tidying kitchen.

Good luck, im sure it will sell because someone who will imagine themselves living there are recreating a similar look. If irs sterile, its two a penny like every other flat or house.

Because of the location

I'm not that far away from W2 and agree it's pretty well placed. I suspect that many potential buyers will, like me, look at it and think there's a huge amount of work to be done when actually I don't think there is. I'd also wonder who the target market is - are your neighbours mainly families or young professionals etc? That might influence the way you dress it. I think there are a few negatives (the relatively short lease - the next buyer will have to extend it when they come to sell it on; the lack of a garden; the fact it's quite high up) so you're quite reliant on someone coming in and loving it.

@lynettescavo I'm not French but I lived in Paris for a while and DH grew up in Brussels (not French, I know, but French-speaking.)

I completely understand you wanting to keep it your home until you move, but honestly if you want it to sell you need to make it look less cluttered. Get rid of all the books, and put them under your bed or something. In the bathroom fold the towels neatly and even if you have to temporary remove them for the photos. The pictures which aren't hung up, move them to storage. It won't feel like your home but you will be moving at some point anyway. You need to make it stand out for other people, not to how you want it. White paint makes the room look bigger. Good luck.

Also, you can see your daughter’s name above one of the beds, might want to remove/blur that. And where’s your cat?

Never has the phrase less is more been more appropriate here. I really like your style, but it is way too busy. I agree with a PP that it is verging on a hoarder's paradise. How do you even manage to sit on your settee with that many cushions?

I'm also concerned that the photographer was happy to take photos with so much "stuff" in them. We have recently put late MIL's house on the market, and the photographer kept moving stuff out of rooms to give the illusion of space. And this is what your photographer should have done.

Op it's a lovely colourful home, but for selling purposes, to me its WAY to busy and cluttered. So as mostly everyone else says, a big de cluttering is required.

Personally I would remove all the books, pillows and pictures maybe leave one or two on the wall, I would also re-do the bathroom.

It is far too cluttered and busy it looks like there is so much work to do when you move in. I would also remove the picture of the outside it is not appealing at all. Sorry!

I can't hear the Westway but do hear the trains - sorry, I keep not answering that question - but they're not loud, the flat certainly doesn't vibrate, and if anything it's sort of a comforting noise. Also I only hear them when the windows are open.

It's truly not a rough estate. Also the views are amazing - in one direction over the train lines to the Shard and the London Eye, and in the other direction the Notting Hill roof tops.

[quote Puffykins]@naughtipussmaximus I wish I knew which mill it was from - I actually bought it in an antique shop in Barmouth, and they didn't know either.[/quote]
I ask because it looks a lot like two I inherited from my mum and gran, from Trefriw, but prettier colours! My mum’s is turquoise and purple and orange - from the mid 70s!

I too am that this is real

@lalafafa

The bottom has dropped out of the market for non garden flats for obvious reasons. You’re going to have to work very hard to make yours appealing.

It has a garden.

I haven't got a cat - what makes you think there's a cat??!!

Oh, it's lovely. Gorgeous Welsh bedspread. Good luck selling it.

There is too much clutter. The books piled high to the ceiling?. I actually had to search for the bed in the double bedroom. That said, your style is really nice but it feels a bit claustrophobic.

The bathroom will worry people - it’s not obvious if it can easily be painted over. Neutral and calm.

Living and bedrooms and kitchen look ok - I’m less concerned about the clutter but the bathroom is letting you down and the balcony photo serves no purpose.

It’s a great sized flat in a really good location. It’s actually nice to see something other than grey and neutrals!

OP, I love your style. You also have some very nice individual pieces of furniture.

I think PP are right that you need to declutter to sell it - but not completely. I'd buy your flat over a grey box any day. I wouldn't be fussed about the kitchen tiles, either - in fact, I'd rather buy somewhere with something to do.

I think the quirkiness and colour is a fantastic antidote to the grey brutalism outside. Your home looks cheerful and welcoming (though it's true that I have a horror of overly minimalistic/tidy houses with 'feature walls' and no books).

Op can you pay for storage for the stuff you don't need day to day until it sells? I like the decor but it screams ' bursting at the seams'. When people come around clear all kitchen surfaces, no towels etc in bathroom. Everything in drawers in bedroom/ living room etc, get rid of ornaments etc. I'm sure it will sell. Good luck.

@saraclara

It's so full of your personal stuff that no-one can imagine it being theirs. People need a blank canvas that they can picture their own furniture and pictures in.

I cant believe that your agent hasn't advised you on this.

I'm serious. You need to get rid of 80-90% of the stuff in your kitchen and living room. Hire some storage, collect up everything that you don't actually need to use and pack it up.

Actually I was being a bit hyperbolic there. 50-60% of stuff needs to go. And I do need to say that you have some lovely things. But you know, they'd be shown off even more if you cut down on the amount of stuff.

ALL the books or magazines that are not on bookshelves need packing away. Most of the pictures too - just choose two or three and make them stand out on otherwise empty walls. Lose most of the cushions so that people can see the lines of those nice chairs.

And basically lose everything that detracts or takes up space. All those towels and robes on the back of the bathroom door need getting out of any photos, for starters. And your bathroom toiletries need to disappear for the photos.

Talk to your agent. Say you think the photos need doing again and that you're going to declutter for them. I honestly think if you can do this you'll get a lot more viewings.

It looks like a hoarders house. I dislike the outside pictures and there is sooo much stuff, I dislike tons of books laying around everywhere even bookcases I hate, and would never buy a place with a communal garden.
Also dislike all the random art on every wall. But it's all personal preference I suppose

I love it, I would buy into the life style!